Today, although technology is growing rapidly, people are starting to struggle with direct communication in real life. Some say that it is easier and more convenient to send a text message instead of speaking directly. Others believe that face-to-face conversations are essential. This essay will discuss both sides, the reasons behind this phenomenon, and its impact on individuals and society.
On one hand, technology provides people the opportunity to send messages from anywhere in the world, allowing them to avoid potential verbal slip-ups. Consequently, individuals do not need to spend time meeting in person and may feel more confident and less intimidated by their own voices or speaking abilities. For example, a study by MUN University in 2018 revealed that 300 out of 400 participants showed a preference for online communication, citing fear of making mistakes as a justification.
On the other hand, online communication has several drawbacks for social interaction. People often feel insecure and unable to engage in face-to-face conversations, leading to challenges in everyday life. For instance, in the book ‘My Little Pony,’ a character named Carl suffers from a phobia of talking to other ponies, largely due to living in an online environment. He struggles with basic activities such as shopping, asking for the time, or even inquiring about prices in the market. Mark Bark noted in his book ‘Technology and Society’ that ‘Despite the opportunities technology has given to the public, society has become much more closed off and less proactive.’
In conclusion, while technology serves as a valuable tool for communication, it also brings drawbacks both for individuals and society as a whole. Although people may feel more comfortable communicating online, they are becoming less capable of speaking with each other in real life.